About Master of Laws (LL.M.) in International Legal Practice, LLM - at IE University
The Master of Laws (LL.M.) in International Legal Practice is a full-time program which runs for ten months. All classes are held in Madrid. The program combines general coursework in legal and business areas with a broad offering of international electives. The program is structured in three trimesters, plus a preparatory pre-program and optional exchange semester. The main objective of the Master of Laws (LL.M.) in International Legal Practice is to train lawyers with a global perspective, capable of working across legal systems, who are able to add value in complex international transactions, providing top-quality legal advice and services with an awareness of business issues and the highest standards of professional ethics. The program offers two language tracks; one in English, one bilingual Spanish/ English track, thus the Master of Laws (LL.M.) in International Legal Practice affords you the opportunity to follow an LL.M. program with two differing perspectives on the same issues that confront today's international lawyer. The English track offers you training in international law and business, whilst the Bilingual track approaches international law and business from a perspective more attuned to Spanish law.
Program StructureThe Pre-program opens both tracks, and serves to prepare you for the challenges presented during the remainder of the program and to familiarize you with Campus Online, IE's digital platform that will be used throughout the program. The English track also offers an internship at a law firm, so that you may gather some hands-on experience before the program itself begins. The
first period begins the program by covering fundamental concepts such as European and Spanish law, common law systems, arbitration, intellectual property, and contracts. The MBA Module also begins in the first period, giving you the chance to combine a legal education with business classes in economics, accounting, and communication skills. The
second period introduces courses in international law, competition law, banking law, negotiation, with the MBA Module continuing to hone your soft skills and your general business skills. The
third period is divided into three parts: core courses, the World Affairs Seminar, and an Electives Period. The core classes focus on international transactions, ranging from competition law to international taxation and international trade, whilst the elective period offer you the chance personalize your studies in what ever area is of most interest and import to you.
MBA ModuleThe MBA Module, which forms an integral part of the Master of Laws (LL.M.) in International Legal Practice, includes courses usually taught as part of a graduate business program, including Economics, Accounting, Strategic Management, Financial Management, Communication Skills and Leadership Workshops. The objective is to provide you with broad knowledge of the fundamentals of business management and strategy, so that you will be better able to meet the needs of your future clients in business-related matters.
World Affairs SeminarOnce the regular courses are completed, the World Affairs Seminar is a one-week series of lectures by renowned international figures in the fields of diplomacy, international relations and politics. The topics are not specifically legal, though all of them do affect the economic, business and cultural environment in which the international lawyer must work.
Electives PeriodThe third trimester concludes with an Electives Period, in which students choose the elective courses to be offered, and from among these, the ones they wish to take. Students in the English version of the program are expected to take two elective courses from those offered by the International MBA program.
LL.M. Thesis and Oral DefenseStudents in the English version of the program are required to complete a thesis under faculty supervision. This yearlong project includes development of a research proposal, research and writing of the thesis, and its oral defense before a faculty panel.
MethodThe IE Case Method used in the Master of Laws (LL.M.) in International Legal Practice is probably unlike anything you have experienced before in a law classroom. Instead of listening passively to lectures, you will be faced with more than 500 practical case problems over the duration of the program, each one of which requires you and your team to solve a range of legal and business problems and then draft the documents needed to achieve the objectives of your hypothetical client. The IE Case Method is designed to replicate some three years of professional practice in just 10 intensive months. In most cases, the case problems are inspired by the professional experience of our faculty. The Master of Laws (LL.M.) in International Legal Practice bridges the gap between legal and business studies, providing the highest of legal educations as well as nurturing the transferable skills essential to success in the business world. With more than 65 nationalities represented on campus, students also gain the international perspective only available through study in a culturally diverse environment such as that at IE.
